Community Health Simulation & Research Manager

Description:

Job Description Summary:

The Community Health Simulation & Research Manager is responsible for leading the design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative health equity and community health programming, including simulation-based learning initiatives, at Samuel Merritt University. This position will advance interprofessional education and workforce development efforts focused on medically underserved communities, with particular emphasis on birth equity, human trafficking, public health, and healthcare pathway building.
This role serves as a bridge between the Center for Community Engagement/Ethnic Health Institute (CCE/EHI) and the Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC), supporting both student-facing and community-facing educational initiatives. This position will collaborate across academic programs, healthcare systems, community organizations, and public health partners to create immersive educational experiences for students and practicing healthcare professionals.
The position also supports research, scholarship, dissemination, grant activities, and community engagement efforts that position Samuel Merritt University as a national leader in equity-centered simulation and community-engaged healthcare education.

Duties and Responsibilities:

I. Simulation and Educational Program Development (50%)

Lead the Design and Implementation of Health Equity Simulations

• Lead the collaborative development, implementation, and evaluation of simulation-based learning experiences focused on health equity and community health.

• Design immersive learning activities centered on birth equity, human trafficking response, public health, social determinants of health, and pathway building into healthcare professions.

• Leads the facilitation of simulation programs in collaboration with faculty.

• Develop continuing education and workforce training simulations for current healthcare professionals and community partners in partnership with the HSSC.

• Ensure simulation activities reflect evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, simulated participant methodology, and healthcare simulation standards of best practice.

• Facilitate pre-briefing, simulation delivery, and debriefing activities aligned with best practices.

• Collaborate with HSSC staff, faculty, and simulation technology specialists to support implementation logistics and immersive technologies.

• Support the development and facilitation of virtual, in-person, and hybrid simulation learning opportunities.

• Uphold the HSSC Policies & Procedures for accreditation purposes.

Interprofessional Education and Faculty Collaboration

• Collaborate with faculty across nursing, medicine, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, the HSSC, and other disciplines to integrate health equity simulation into curricula.

• Serve as an expert resource on interprofessional education, simulation pedagogy, and health equity-centered educational design.

• Support faculty development related to simulation facilitation, debriefing, and inclusive teaching practices.

• Assist with university-wide interprofessional education initiatives and strategic priorities.

• Maintain and organize a library of health equity simulation scenarios and curricular materials.

• Coach and mentor faculty in interprofessional, simulated-participant methodology and simulation best-practice standards.

II. Community Engagement and Workforce Development (30%)

Community and Professional Training Programs

• Develop and implement community-facing healthcare workforce trainings focused on serving medically underserved populations, including for CCE/EHI programs like Hypertension & Wellness Sunday.

• Partner with healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, schools, and community-based organizations to identify educational needs and collaborative opportunities.

• Represent SMU in community health equity initiatives, coalitions, and advocacy efforts.

• Support pathway-building initiatives designed to increase representation and workforce diversity in healthcare professions.

• Participate in outreach events, educational workshops, health fairs, and youth engagement initiatives.

Program Support for CCE/EHI Initiatives

• Support existing Center for Community Engagement and Ethnic Health Institute programs and initiatives, including projects related to birth equity, human trafficking, nutrition equity, hypertension, and community health education.

• Assist with planning, implementation, logistics, and evaluation of community-engaged programs and events.

• Support alignment between CCE/EHI initiatives and university-wide interprofessional education and health equity priorities.

III. Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination (20%)

Research and Scholarship

• Lead and support research efforts evaluating the impact of health equity simulation and community-based educational initiatives, including Community-Based Participatory Research.

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and community partners on scholarly projects and program evaluation activities.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret program outcomes data to support continuous quality improvement and dissemination.

• Prepare presentations, manuscripts, reports, and conference submissions to disseminate findings regionally and nationally.

• Contribute to establishing SMU as a national leader in health equity simulation and immersive community-engaged education.

Grant and Program Development

• Assist with grant writing, funding proposals, reporting, and sustainability planning related to health equity educational initiatives.

• Support development of innovative programming aligned with institutional priorities and emerging community health needs.

• Maintain awareness of local, state, and national trends related to health equity, simulation education, workforce development, and underserved communities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, nursing, health sciences, education, social work, or related field required. Doctorate degree preferred.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in health equity programming, simulation education, community health, healthcare workforce development, or related areas.

• Experience in interprofessional education.

• Experience leading research, scholarship, and dissemination.

• Experience designing and facilitating educational programs or simulation-based learning activities.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and working with medically underserved communities.

• Experience collaborating across disciplines and sectors, including higher education and community organizations.

• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams.

• Experience with program evaluation, research, or dissemination activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)

• Experience with interprofessional education initiatives.

• Experience with grant writing and funded program management.

• Experience working with birth equity, trafficking prevention/response, public health, or community health initiatives preferred.

• Clinical experience and/or strong foundational clinical knowledge related to healthcare delivery, patient care, and medically underserved populations.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to engage effectively with diverse learners, faculty, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving programmatic needs.

• Demonstrated cultural humility and commitment to equity-centered practice.

• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative educational solutions.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and move materials up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to travel locally (Northern California) for community meetings, trainings, and events as needed.

Work Environment

Office Location: Oakland Campus – Hybrid

• This is a hybrid position based in Oakland, CA, requiring a combination of on-campus and remote work, with in-office attendance determined by operational needs, meetings, events, and team collaboration requirements.
• Work is performed in both campus and remote settings, requiring the ability to effectively collaborate, communicate, and maintain productivity across multiple work environments and multidisciplinary teams.

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae

Employee Status:

Regular

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type:

Full time

Job Shift:

Pay Range:

up to $120,000 annually depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Organization:

At Samuel Merritt University (SMU), we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional education, compassionate care, and community service. Known for our leading-edge programs in health sciences, SMU equips students and faculty with the knowledge and skills to make impactful contributions to health and wellness.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SMU welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where anyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.

Benefits

Samuel Merritt University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Education reimbursement
• Employee discounts through Marketplace
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Two floating holidays
• One paid Volunteer Work Day
• Five Education Leave Days

Important Notice: Beware of Fraudulent Job Offers

Samuel Merritt University has been made aware of individuals posing as SMU recruiters, particularly for remote positions. To help protect yourself, please keep the following in mind:

• All legitimate job openings are posted on the SMU Careers page and trusted job boards.
• We will never ask you to provide payment for equipment or submit sensitive personal information before completing the formal hiring process.
• Official offers of employment are issued through Workday, not by text message or informal email.

Please remain cautious and protect your personal information throughout your job search.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Samuel Merritt University does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our job application email address, SMU employees, or any other university location. Samuel Merritt University is not responsible for fees associated with unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions.

About Us

SMU is a health sciences institution offering high-quality instruction, outstanding faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. We have a deep commitment and proven track record of preparing professionals to address today’s healthcare needs.

Our Mission
We educate students to become highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals who positively transform the experience of care in diverse communities.

Our Vision
Samuel Merritt University will become nationally recognized as a premier, multi-specialty health sciences institution. Expert faculty and staff will shape an inclusive learning environment where all students experience best teaching practices and state-of-the-art learning approaches. The University will select and support students who will flourish in the rigorous academic programs, learn to practice expertly, and pass licensure or certifications examinations on their first attempt.

Our Philosophy of Teaching and Learning
We see faculty and students as partners in the teaching and learning process. Our programs, curricula, and courses are designed to encourage active, experiential learning as well as collegial, scholarly, and effective communications. We believe that clinical and practical applications, including interprofessional education, provide a critical foundation for learning in the health professions. SMU graduates use sound reasoning, evidence-based care, and clinical expertise to respond to the needs of the people they serve.

Community and Diversity

We're more than a top health professions university. SMU is committed to training students in the importance of social determinants of health and how to care for patients from diverse backgrounds with integrity and compassion.

Our Values
If you're interested in transforming the care experience in diverse communities, SMU could be the place for you. SMU students learn to advance health equity and make a lasting impact on individuals' health and community well-being. At the core of our educational values are hands-on, experiential learning; the promotion of diversity and inclusion; and community-service outreach, locally and globally.

We embrace:

• A learning environment where we challenge ourselves and our students to think critically, seek mastery, and act compassionately
• A collegial environment where we are fair, respectful, and behave with integrity
• A collaborative environment where we partner with one another and with others in the community
• An innovative environment where we take reasoned risks and move nimbly
• A results-oriented environment where we provide and expect exceptional performance and service

Employee Polygraph Protection Act

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment.

Details can be found on our website at: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/employee-polygraph-protection-act